Our students should have a kinesthetic brain break every 25-30 minutes. Brain breaks are refreshing to students and teachers alike. They do take some time out of class, but the efficiency of our students goes up when we incorporate them. Please comment if you have variations on a particular brain break.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Here are some great ideas for CORE STRENGTH BRAIN BREAKS. They are easy to implement and most have you stand on one leg.
They are done by Dave Racey from Naperville North High School in Naperville IL. Thanks Dave!

FORWARD and BACKWARD CIRCLES
1. Point your arms toward the ceiling.
2. Keep your elbow straight and move your right arm forward creating a large circle. Continue making forward circles with this arm. Now do the same with your other arm except go BACKWARD. Continue with both arms moving at the same time. Make sure you have this pattern working before you continue.
3. While both arms continue to move, lift your right foot off the ground and make a ninety degree angle with your knee. Hold this for a few seconds.
4. Now extend your right knee out to make your leg parallel to the ground. Hold for a few seconds.
5. Stop.
6. Repeat the same process again with your left leg.

AIRPLANE
1. Point your arms toward the ceiling.
2. Lift your right leg and put it behind you. Try to keep your knee straight.
3. Lean forward with your body. Try to make your body, arms and leg parallel with the ground. Hold for 10 seconds.
4. Now try the same sequence with your left leg behind you.

DON'T FALL
1. Point your arms toward the ceiling.
2. Lift your right leg and put it to the side of you. Try to keep it straight.
3. Point your body in the opposite direction. Try to make your body, arms and leg parallel with the ground. Hold for 15 seconds.
4. Now try the same sequence with your left leg to the side.

Get the BOOK!

Companion Website Access Too!

The book includes all 50 Brain Breaks. It also has a companion website that allows you to view all 50 videos of the Brain Breaks. The companion website also gives you access to the SMARTBoard Version of the Brain Breaks as well as the PowerPoint Version of the Brain Breaks. It's a BESTSELLER.

About Me

Teacher at Naperville Central High School, Naperville IL.
Family: Married with 3 children
Coach: High School Soccer
Technology: I get one release period to promote the technology in our Math Department.